Georgia: Price Will Wait on Senate Decision Until May

Price will decide later this year about a Senate bid. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

Georgia Republican Rep. Tom Price on Monday announced he would not make a decision on a Senate run until May, citing his responsibilities as vice chairman of the Budget Committee.

“The election of Georgia’s next senator is 21 months away and there is plenty of time for campaigning,” Price said in a statement. “To announce a decision prior to the completion of the work on the debt ceiling and critical fiscal policy in May 2013, would be distracting and unwise. At that time, Betty and I will then be prepared to come to a decision on my candidacy for the U.S. Senate as Georgia’s conservative voice.”

But Price’s decision to wait to make a decision could complicate other potential candidates’ strategies. In his statement, Price signaled that his delay was not a sign of weakness.

“The remarkable wisdom and grassroots feedback I’ve received has been verified by internal polling, showing a clear path to victory, and an outpouring of financial support — more than $300,000 raised in less than two weeks,” he said.